Gas Sensor

Abstract

A gas sensor for measuring at least one gas concentration, in particular for a vehicle climate control system, having a substrate, an IR radiation source fastened on the substrate, an IR detector fastened on the substrate, a measurement chamber for receiving a gas having the gas concentration that is to be measured, a shielding device situated in the measurement chamber between the IR radiation source and the IR detector, for shielding a direct transmission of IR radiation from the IR radiation source to the IR detector along an optical axis, and a reflective surface that has a concavely curved first mirrored area for receiving the IR radiation emitted by the IR radiation source, and that has a concavely curved second mirrored area that reflects the IR radiation to the IR detector, the measurement chamber being formed between the reflective surface and the substrate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a gas sensor for measuring at least one gas concentration by absorption of infrared radiation in a gas.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0002]Sensors for measuring a gas concentration or concentrations of various individual gases are currently used mainly for applications in medicine and biology, or in fire detection. In a spectroscopic measurement design, the fact is exploited that the various individual gases in a gas mixture each absorb IR (infrared) radiation in specific wavelength ranges. The gas concentration of an individual gas can thus be determined by measuring the absolute absorption or a relative absorption in comparison with a reference wavelength range.[0003]In general, such gas sensors have an IR radiation source and an IR detector situated linearly opposite one another along an optical axis. The measurement area in which the relevant gas concentration is measured, i.e., in which the absorption of the IR radiation take...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In contrast, the gas sensor according to the present invention has in particular the advantage that a simple, economical, and compact design is possible, while nonetheless making possible a large measurement signal, in particular having a high signal-noise ratio, with good dynamic measurement characteristics.

Problems solved by technology

In order to achieve adequate entry of radiation into the detector element given long absorption paths, relatively strong IR radiation sources are used, which correspondingly have high power consumption.

For applications in automotive technology in particular, however, high power consumption is not desirable.

By using reflective surfaces, the absorption path can at first be enlarged, but in general the reflectors required for this result in additional costs; in addition, an optical adjustment, and possibly also a subsequent correction of the situation of the reflectors, is required.

In addition, dead areas not covered by the gas circulation can form on the reflectors, making a dynamic measurement process more difficult.

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